Taliban threaten to overrun another Afghan city
September 08, 2016 01:52
The Taliban today toppled security outposts on the edge of the southern Afghan city of Tarin Kot, officials said, threatening the third provincial capital in recent weeks.
The insurgents crept within seven kilometres of the capital of the restive poppy-rich province of Uruzgan, prompting urgent calls from officials for reinforcements and air support.
The Taliban advance comes as the insurgents threaten to capture Lashkar Gah in neighbouring Helmand province, and northern Kunduz city, which the militants briefly seized last year in a stinging blow to Afghan forces.
"Some security checkpoints fell to the Taliban without much resistance from security forces," said Haji Baridad, a tribal elder in Tarin Kot, raising a concern echoed by other local residents.
"If they continue to flee, local people will be forced to take up arms ourselves to defend the city."
But Dost Mohammed Nayab, the provincial governor's spokesman, dismissed the charge, insisting the Taliban will not be allowed to breach Tarin Kot's outer defences.
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